The following trends have been compiled from hundreds of sources to give you the most up to date choices when organising your wedding the next year.
Color Trends
The following colors are featuring on all the fashion runways: Turquoise, Coral, Lime, White, Yellow, Fuchsia, Deep Red, Slate Grey, Purple, Latte and of course black is the new...black: You can NEVER go wrong with black ... sheer elegance and sophistication are always created with the use of black. .
Wedding Reception Decorations
Brides are choosing centerpieces that are in the same colour tones, but of different sizes. They are also changing the shape of the tables, mixing round with square. These trends give the reception tables a more interesting look and a less "coordinated" feel. Unique fillers include glass marbles, glass sea shells, acrylic ice, water absorbing crystals, /beads, and fresh fruits such as lemons and limes.
Bolts of economical tulle fabric are typically combined with white lights and/or floral garlands for draping between pews and decorating banisters and ceilings. Candles are always a popular choice for centerpieces, and lend a romantic feel to any room. Choices include pillars, tea lights, tapers and floaters. Since some facilities do not allow candles, alternatives include faux tea light candles or battery operated LED lights. Head tables are replaced with a small table for just the bride and groom. Many couples plan weekend weddings that start on Friday and go for the entire weekend. Dove and butterfly releases add drama and excitement to your event, despite the environmental issues.
Wedding Favours
Although completely optional, couples now opt for more unusual, useful, and personalised favours to thank their guests for coming. In many cases, the favours do double-duty as place-card holders, table decorations, and even centerpiece arrangements where larger favours are grouped together in the centre of the reception tables.
Favours can be ready-made items, although currently popular are hand-made items embellished with ribbon & assents that coordinate with the wedding theme or colour scheme. This is definitely an aspect of weddings that has gone DIY in recent months.
Wedding Themes
Creativity knows no bounds, so pick a theme that reflects you as a couple. Currently, the top wedding themes are "beach", "garden", "winter wonderland", "vintage glamour", "woodland/rustic", and "Tiffany Blue" (aqua) and "sparkling diamonds." Destination and ethnic-influenced celebrations also remain popular choices.
Eco-friendly or Green Weddings
Going green is important in almost every area of life including weddings. Many couples are choosing organic fabrics, flowers, food that has been locally sourced and environmentally friendly invitations, etc. In the event of global climate change, making green and sustainable choices helps our environmental crisis tremendously. Decisions that decrease the amount of carbon emissions promote sustainable practices, support local businesses and foster community and worldwide health and longevity. Let's hope this trend is here to stay!
Wedding Dresses
Romantic, flowing dresses in floor-length styles remain popular. Brides today choose dresses with flowing, soft fabrics, ruffles, satin sashes (at the waist), and delicate floral details. Most dress silhouettes are refined and include the delicate overlaying of fabrics such as chiffon, tulle and lace. Gowns with crystal, cubic zirconia, and/or pearl embellished bodices are very popular at the moment. The modified A-line skirt also remains prominent on the fashion runways (slim through the waist and flared at the bottom) although many designers have included ball gowns and tea-length styles in their lines as well. Strapless gowns are perennial favourites, but this season has brought back the off-the-shoulder look for brides who want to accentuate their neckline or draw attention to gorgeous jewellery. Also expect Victorian flair with lots of corsets and soft layered ruffles. Colours are also expanding with this beautiful light sage green and with more muted earth tone colours below. Soft and flowing elegance with textures of colour palettes. Short is also making a come back!
Wedding Accessories
Shorter trains and veils (especially the bird cage veil) are popular as are pretty boleros, and shawls. For colder weather, brides choose wraps of faux-fur, velvet, heavy satin, or a luxury pashmina. Light weight fabrics, including organza, lace, tulle and chiffon, make perfect wraps for the Spring or Summer bride and reduce sun exposure on bare arms and shoulders.
Pearls, diamonds, rhinestones, and crystals remain the top jewelry choice for necklaces and earrings. Crystal brooches are also a popular accent for wearing on the dress, in the hair, brides maids hand bag or on the bouquet handle.
Wedding Hair Styles
There are no clear trends in hair styles, although wearing the hair in long romantic waves or loosely pulled back are popular choices for brides with long hair. The 60’s updo’s are also coming back. Hair ornaments such as hairpins, brooches, flowers, and hair vines made with crystals, pearls, rhinestones, and/or silk flowers are also popular.
Beautiful tiaras and combs made with either rhinestones, diamonds, crystals, or pearls have been the trend for many seasons and seem to be getting smaller as more crystal-embellished dress styles take center-stage. Some brides are placing their veils directly on their hair or using a single silk flower for a simple, classic look.
Wedding Bouquets
Ninety five percent of wedding bouquets are hand-tied, where the flowers are gathered together and the stems are wrapped in wide satin ribbon. Brides wanting more glamorous bouquets choose beads, brooches, jewel pins, pearls, crystal/rhinestone picks, and monogrammed ribbon to dress up plain ribbon wrapped stems and blooms. With the continuing popularity of the beach and garden themes, brides wanting a more rustic and natural look to their bouquet add elements such as shells/starfish, feathers, berries and pinecones.
Children's Attire
Flower girls are sporting fairy wings and cute wands, although baskets of rose petals, posies, pomanders, and dainty purses remain popular. A-line dresses and dresses accented with chiffon overlays steal the show. Floral head wreaths or dainty tiaras finish the look. The tuxedo is still the most popular choice for the ring bearer. Ring pillows often come in colors, other than just white and ivory, and include bead, pearl, ribbon or floral accents. Popular fabrics include velvet, lace, and satin.
Wedding Transportation
Limousines, exotic cars, and horse-drawn carriages are top picks for wedding transportation. More unconventional choices include motorcycles, horses, two-person bikes, hot-air balloons, and sleighs.
A current trend is for couples to walk down separate aisles during the ceremony and meet together in front of their guests. They write their own vows and incorporate their children in the case of second marriages. Brides riding their horse in outdoor weddings or walking their dog to the altar are not unusual. Grooms typically escort their mothers down the aisle. Brides are escorted by both father and/or stepfather, or by her mother, mother and father together, or grandparents or by a significant person in their life. Traditional guest books remain popular, however, a trend that has been around for many years is to display the couple's engagement photograph on an easel at the ceremony entrance. The photo is matted, framed without glass and takes the place of a guest book when guests sign the matting. Some couples ask their guests to sign a scroll which they later have framed.
Wedding Planning
Wedding inspiration boards are increasing in popularity as they are a great tool for helping brides focus their wedding ideas, color schemes and decorating details. Choosing a wedding motif is also helpful in coordinating the overall wedding day decor or theme.
Wedding Cakes
Gone are the days of only having a wedding cake because the dessert table gains more ground over the traditional cake again in 2012. In fact, it has now expanded to include a variety a specialty items. From pies to cupcakes to cookies, to candy bars it's a buffet of beautifully displayed flavors, colors and options that every guest will be sure to enjoy. Guests love the idea of getting up when they’re ready and picking out one or two special treats. Thoughtful brides love being able to offer everyone’s favourite with this option. Miniature cheesecakes, single-serve key lime pies and ice cream sundae bars with a plethora of toppings all fit the bill and satisfy the sweet tooth. Believe it; no one will be watching the calories on the day of the event.
Cakes decorated with handmade icing flowers, shells/starfish and delicate dots and scrollwork remain popular. Couples are choosing cakes that fit with the location, theme and season of their wedding. Four to five layers is the average size for a wedding of 150-200 people. Butter cream or smooth fondant frostings are most common. Popular cake flavours include lemon, chocolate, carrot, spice and "white" although some couples are choosing non-traditional flavours such as gingerbread, espresso and hazelnut. Flowers, sculptures, and large monogrammed letters are replacing the traditional bride and groom cake top.
Wedding Photography
The photo-journalistic (candid) approach to wedding photography is preferred by many brides to the traditional posed shots. Capturing the day's events as they happen helps tell the story of your wedding.
Naturally, posed pictures are still enjoyed and requesting that some of the photos be black and white is common.
Stationery adorned with ribbon, beach, feather, bamboo, rhinestone buckles, or floral accents remains in high demand. Ribbon is used for decoration, or to simply hold the invitation together. Handmade stationery is a more personal, and with the popularity of scrap booking, stamping, and various computer programs available, there are endless creative options. Many couples choose to add this personal touch to their wedding.
Venues
Natural settings are hugely popular for the
beauty and ambiance that they provide & the minimal decor that is
required. Also all in one venues are hugely popular. The convenience of
having your guests in the same location for ceremony and reception is a hit for
EVERYONE.
Pets
Yes, you read it right! Incorporating
your family pet into the ceremony seems to be a trend right now and we see
it carrying on well into 2012. There are lots of ways to involve furry (or
feathered) friends in your celebration, whether in a formal role as the ring
bearer or flower dog, or simply as an honoured guest. It is fun, out of the
ordinary and something that will leave your guests talking . Especially if
he/she performs on queue. Obviously, you need to find a pet friendly venue.
Forget the usual destinations and bet on a distant, unfamiliar and exotic honeymoon. Places like Bali, Morocco and Nepal are hot in 2012.
Your wedding is a once in a lifetime event. Whether you choose one of the above wedding trends or prefer to stick with tradition, make your wedding day memorable.
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